Joining UMD in the new league are five other current WCHA schools --- North Dakota, Denver, Colorado College, Nebraska-Omaha, and St. Cloud State --- and two current CCHA schools --- Miami (OH) and Western Michigan.

“We are very confident with our decision and excited to move forward as a strong eight-team conference,” said conference spokesman Brian Faison. “As we have stated many times, it is our goal to establish the National Collegiate Hockey Conference as the premier conference in men’s hockey and there’s no question in our minds that we are well positioned to do so with our membership."

Dating back to the year 2000, the NCHC boasts four NCAA national champions, 14 NCAA Frozen Four appearances, 12 conference regular-season championships, and 10 conference tournament championships.

All eight members were participants in the NCAA tournament in one or both of the last two seasons.